Page 32 of Heartless
“Well, I live there, so yes.”
He lived there? How had I missed that?
“I called a taxi already.”
“Cancel it,” he shrugged and waited for me, his gaze willing me to join him.
“Yeah. I guess I could cancel.” I walked toward Parker. “Bye, George,” I tossed back.
“Umm…You didn’t give me your number?”
“And she’s not going to,” Parker said, his voice firm. “Bye, George.” Then he placed his hand on the small of my back and led me through the parking lot.
Chapter Eleven
Madison
“You should really cancel that taxi,” Parker said, as we stopped next to his sleek black car.
“I didn’t need your help.”
“I never said you did. But you were relieved when I showed up,” he shot back, opening the passenger door for me. “Don’t deny it.” His smirk was infuriatingly smug as he motioned for me to get in.
I hesitated for a moment, debating whether to accept his offer. But in the end, I slid into the seat and ran a hand over the smooth leather beneath me.
As Parker settled into the driver’s side, the faint smell of his expensive cologne lingered in the air. He started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot and I canceled the taxi I had ordered. The silencebetween us was uncomfortable, at least to me, so I asked, “How long have you been living at The Gem?”
“Four years.”
His answer gave rise to a bunch of other questions. He looked around my age, which meant he was too young to have been able to build The Gemstone on his own from the ground. The land alone would cost a fortune. Was he born into a wealthy family? Had he inherited the property?
“How old are you?” I asked.
“You are on fire tonight, Ms. Hartley,” a slow smirk formed on his lips. “First you told me I was engaging, and now you’re asking me a personal question.”
“Don’t read too much into it. I have an agenda.”
“I’m not surprised.” His smirk transformed into one of his rare genuine smiles, and I felt my own lips twitch.
We remained silent for a while. I was aware he hadn’t answered my question, but I didn’t want to seem too eager to find out, so I just watched out my window.
“Why was your mother on your date?”
So he hadn’t figured out it was a blind date yet.
“Hum?” I asked, buying time.
“You were on a date with George and your mother. What was that about?”
Usually I could be quick with a lie on my tongue, but I hadn’t forgotten the revelation that Parker and my brother Tyler had some kind of friendship thing going on. Who knew if Tyler wouldn’t use me as a joke at their next get together and tell him about my mother’s desire to marry me off to the first single man that said hello?
“How about we play a game, then?” Parker asked. “You will answer a question of mine for every answer I give you.”
“And if I don’t answer?”
“You won’t be able to ask me any more questions until you do. And vice versa, of course. Deal?”
“I guess,” I hesitated.
